Thanks for the reviews! As promised, this chapter is longer, hope you like!

Chapter Three

Haley sat at the desk in the corner of her room. It was Friday night and she was doing her history homework. She stared at the page before her, the words began to merge and she threw her pen down and rubbed her eyes. It was 10.30pm by now the whole school was probably wasted at some party or another, that she was never invited to. Not that it bothered her. Part of Haley knew she didn't belong with that crowd, but it still would have been nice to have been asked. She picked up her pen and continued to take notes.

Lucas sat on the kitchen side with a plastic cup in hand. Little did anyone know that it only held a diet coke, he hadn't touched a drop of alcohol in months, not after seeing Nathan after one of their parties. He refused to end up like that, so drunk that he didn't know who he was or who he was with. Sure it was fun at first, but then something changed, had the novelty worn off? No he was scared of the type of person he would become if he continued on that road. He didn't want to be dependant on something like that, something that took control and wouldn't let go, he didn't want to be forty stuck in a dead end job, drinking all hours of the day. Maybe that was taking it a little far, but he didn't want to even entertain the idea that his life would slip him by like that. In front of him at the breakfast bar stood a circle of students, downing shots. The music was pumping and only fuelled the craziness of the party. Nathan stood beside him, his arm draped around Peyton's shoulder, it was meant to be a romantic gesture, but Lucas couldn't help but think that it was partly to stop his brother from losing his balance.

"Dude what's up with you tonight anyways?" Nathan questioned not sounding as drunk as he looked.

"Nothing." Was Lucas's only reply, he lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip.

"Nathan's right." Peyton jumped in. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"I'm just tired is all, practice kinda took it out of me."

Brooke chose that moment to descend upon the trio. Lucas took a deep breath, this was just what he needed, Brooke's advances. They were all friends, but if he didn't know her any better, Lucas would have thought that Brooke's seductive looks and whispered comments held more than they first appeared.

"Great party." Peyton said handing her a drink that she saved on the counter.

"It is isn't it, even if I do say so myself." She looked to Lucas with a seductive smile.

Oh yeah, look out here it comes he thought to himself.

"What was this I heard about Lucas, do you need a lie down? My room is free, well at the moment it is." She said with a wink.

"Come on Brooke, lets go dance." Peyton said pulling her away from the two brothers. Lucas thanked whatever higher power had chosen to listen in and grant him this moment of freedom. Nathan turned to him as he spoke.

"Man what's wrong? We're at Brooke's party, you're single and you're the second best player on the team. Now I'm no mathematician, but you gotta love those odds." He ended with a swig from his cup, placing it back on the counter.

"Second best player?" Lucas questioned looking down at him. Nathan smiled.

"You know what, I think I'm just gonna call it a night. I'll see you tomorrow." Lucas said hopping off the kitchen side.

"Okay, your loss." Nathan said picking up his beer, as Lucas left.

Lucas collapsed onto his bed and put his arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't know what it was, but lately he just seemed to be drifting further apart from his brother, his team mates and his life of popularity. It was as if he didn't belong anymore, and it wasn't through a lack of trying on his behalf. Everything was the same as it had always been, it was he who was changing, and he couldn't figure out why. He needed to clear his mind, so he leaned over his bed and picked up his school bag. He pulled out his copy of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, and was about to drop his bag on the floor when he noticed the black leather book he had found earlier that day. He put Steinbeck on his dresser beside him and picked up the leather book. He opened to the first page, there was no name or phone number, but there was a date followed by neatly looking handwriting.

This must be a journal or diary of some kind, he thought to himself. He closed the book, honouring the privacy of the owner. He put it down and picked up Of Mice and Men. He had read a couple of sentences then turned to the journal. Shaking his head, he turned back to his book, reading a few more words. He looked towards the journal once more, by now the temptation was becoming too much, he dropped his book, got up and started pacing the room.

"You can't read that, it's someone's journal, their inner most thoughts." He got to the end of the room and turned back again.

"Although, there may be something in here that will help me find the owner."

He paced some more.

"This is ridiculous now you're talking to yourself." Making his decision he jumped onto the bed and picked up the journal. "One page won't hurt." He said as he got comfortable.

Haley had finished all of her homework, and now all she wanted to do was fall into bed and catch up with her journal. She disappeared into the bathroom to get changed and returned five minutes later ready for bed. Climbing in, she grabbed her bag and routed around for her journal. That was strange, she was sure she left it in there. Panicking she lifted her pillows to check underneath them, pulling back the blankets as well.

"Okay James, calm down. It's here somewhere, retrace your steps, where did you see it last? You had it in the library… and then at your locker… That's it, you left it in your locker." She breathed a sigh of relief, her journal was safe.